39-45 Oldfield Lane South, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 9LB, UK. Tel. 020 8578 8088 / 9285

Email: info@jalarammandir.co.uk; Live Streaming: www.jalaram.tv; Website: www.jalarammandir.co.uk

Messages from the Immediate Past President and the President – Shree Jalaram Mandir – Greenford.

Issue No.

06

Shree Jalaram Mandir – Greenford

1st June 2013 Issue No. 08

Jai Shri Krishna, Jai Jalaram.

I am indebted to Pujya Bapa for blessing me with the opportunity to serve Him through the Mandir. It

was an honour for me to be the President of the Board of Trustees that was elected in October 2008.

Over the past four and a half years the Mandir has gone from strength to strength in promoting Pujya

Bapa’s ethos through collective efforts and reached its present pinnacle. This was only made possible by unity, openness, accountability and honesty.

Our next destination in this long journey is the proposed new build of the Mandir which would not only be a place of worship but also a Community

Centre, serving the community at large.

I am confident that Rashmibhai Chatwani who has worked shoulder to shoulder with me as the Vice

President is capable of leading the Mandir through the next phase. I am deeply committed to the Mandir and assure the President and the Board of my continued support.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Trustees, all the devotees, the Mandir staff and our dedicated volunteers for bringing the Mandir where it is today.

Cllr. Rajni C. Khiroya Immediate Past President

Editorial Board: Dr. Jayu Morjaria, Dr. Mansukh Morjaria, Prakash Gandecha, Amritlal Rajani.

Jai Jalaram.

I am privileged to have been elected as the

President of the Mandir and carry the baton passed

over by Councillor Rajnibhai Khiroya after four and

a half years of a very successful tenure. On behalf

of the Board, I would like to thank him for his

immense hard work during that period. He has put

the Mandir on a much stable footing. I am also

delighted that he has decided to continue as a

Trustee. His support to me is going to be

invaluable.

I would like to thank all my fellow Trustees for

electing me as the President and with Bapa’s

blessings, I very much hope that I do not let

anyone of you down in performing my duties.

Councillor Khiroya has left behind a very rich legacy

and I intend to continue on the same path with

particular focus in having a larger Mandir and

Community Centre with better facilities on the

same site. We have a dedicated Board of Trustees

who I feel are very capable of achieving this.

I also look forward to the support from all the

devotees, the volunteers and the staff.

Rashmi Chatwani President

Shree Jalaram Mandir – Greenford – An Overview of The Past, the Present and the Future

Dr. Jayu Morjaria

o Shree Jalaram Mandir – Greenford started functioning at its present site, 39-45 Oldfield Lane

South, in November 2000. From a small number of devotees attending in the beginning, the

attendance gradually improved. A new team of Trustees was elected for this UK registered

Charity Trust called RAMA in 2008, led by Cllr. Rajnibhai Khiroya.

o The organisation is governed by a Board of eleven trustees. That the image of the Mandir

suddenly brightened and the number of devotees increased by leaps and bounds was not a

mere co-incidence. The trustees by their collective effort infused Pujya Jalaram Bapa’s ethos in

its functioning and instilled transparency in its administration and finance.

o In 2010, UK had started feeling the pinch of the global recession. Many a families’ especially the

new immigrants’ household - budgets were in doldrums. The trustees were quick to respond

and rise to the occasion. A word was spread for the newly started daily free kitchen (Sadavrat),

serving meals seven days a week to the attendees, irrespective of caste, colour and creed. It

saw many a families through very difficult times.

o It was important to meet the rigorous standards of health and hygiene so the kitchen and

dining facilities were upgraded. A Five Star Rating was awarded by The Ealing Council in May

2012 adding a feather in the Mandir’s cap. The weekly figure of devotees currently partaking in

the Sadavrat Prasad has crossed two thousand.

o From a Mandir that opened only for the evening aartis and the weekend Darshan, it is now open

from 8 am to 8 pm every-day, extended to 10 pm on Thursdays and has a busy ritualistic

schedule through the week. There are two very learned and devoted Pujaris engaged by the

Mandir, who cater to the spiritual needs of the Hindu community.

o Murtis of all the major Hindu deities are in its worship and it celebrates all the major festive

days in the Hindu calendar. The Jalaram Jayanti celebration is the annual highlight. Two years

back the Mandir uniquely celebrated this event by presenting Five One - Act Plays depicting

Miracles in Bapa’s life.

o Religious discourses (Aakhyaan, Kathas and Saptas) are arranged periodically. The Mandir has

run Summer Cultural Classes for adults and children for the past two years which have been

well attended. Last year the Mandir conducted a Workshop on Hinduism, with renowned

educationists in the field of Hinduism on the panel. It evoked an enthusiastic response.

o Ladies Activities are done on Monday and Wednesday mornings and Gents Activities on Tuesday

mornings. Children’s and Adults’ Bhajan Classes are conducted every Friday evening.

o The Mandir is licensed for Civil marriages and has made the event memorable for those who

have availed of this facility.

o The Trustees have been fore-sighted and progressive. They have taken the advantage of the

technological advances and introduced live telecasting of Mandir events like Aarti on Thursday

evenings, 21 Hanuman Chalisa on Saturday mornings and Sponsored Bhajans, Kathas, Saptah

and the like on * www.jalaram.tv *. The viewership has been progressively increasing as

expected. Last month, the programmes were viewed in 20 countries over 132,000 minutes of

viewing thro’ nearly 9000 streams. MATV produced a 45 minutes’ Documentary on the Mandir

which was first tele-cast on the 3rd May 2013. So the Mandir has every reason to feel proud in

having positively contributed to spreading the message of Pujya Bapa far and wide. It has also

let its devotees in the distant parts of the world to remain in touch with the important events at

the Mandir. The Mandir’s website * www.jalarammandir.co.uk * is in the process of updating.

o In keeping up with the times, various Mandir personnel have taken courses like Food and

Hygiene, First Aid, Fire Safety, etc. The Mandir also arranged talks by Met Police on Community

Policing and by respective Health Personnel on Diabetes, Cardiac Problems and Organ Donation.

Under the guidance of the British Heart Foundation healthy cooking methods have been adopted

in the Mandir kitchen and devotees encouraged following healthy life style and taking part in the

relevant health screening programmes. More than 100 prospective donors were registered by

the NHS Organ Donation Team on just two evenings at the Mandir.

o Supported by the Mandir, some volunteer groups have raised significant sums for local charities

like St. Luke’s Hospice, Diabetes UK, and the British Heart Foundation.

o Furthermore the Mandir has stretched its arm of social service across the globe and contributed

to Haiti Earthquake Fund, Children of Uganda Fund, and recently joined hands with the

Shivanand Mission’s Virnagar Hospital to give Gift of Sight to the needy people of Gujarat.

o To this day nearly 800 cataract operations have been done and nearly 5500 patients treated for

minor eye ailments from a total of 6517 patients seen in thirty Eye-Camps. Dental Camps

providing teeth extraction and supplying dentures have also been incorporated in some villages.

These camps have all been sponsored by the Mandir’s devotees.

o The Mandir engages well with the local community. Last year, closely liaising with the Greenford

Residents’ Association, it helped the Greenford Police Forum and the Met Police in successfully

organising a Charity Concert. It regularly makes collections for the Greenford British Legion

and for the last two years has been invited to take part in the Remembrance Day Parade and

the only temple honoured by being invited to lay a wreath for our fallen soldiers.

o The Mandir is constantly aware of its social obligation and responsibility. It hires the Coston

Primary School Car Park for all Thursday evenings and on all Event Days, if available. A Shuttle

Mini-Bus Service to and from the Car Park has been running well.

o In line with Sant Shree Jalaram Bapa’s ethos and as an extension of its Sadavrat activity, the

Mandir has for the past one year started serving Food to the Homeless, in the Central London

area, twice a week, with Shree Sathya Sai Narayan Seva Sanstha. Up to date the Mandir has

served over 9000 meals. It has also sent Prasad on the day of Diwali for the inmates of the

Bronzefield Women's Prison and recently started sending ration for the Harrow Food Bank.

o Being a Jalaram Mandir, its devotees bring a lot of ration as an offering to the Saint. Most of

this is used in the Mandir’s Sadavrat activity. Excess, when any, is very generously shared with

other Hindu Temples and Sikh Gurudwaras.

o The Mandir always encourages visits from local schools, Scouts and Guide Groups, elderly/

disabled devotees from care homes and devotees from other parts of the UK. Just few weeks

back when Shri C. B. Patel, the Editor/Director of the Asian Voice/ Gujarat Samachar Group

visited the temple he was impressed that hundreds of our devotees had already signed the

petition for a direct flight to Amdavad launched by him. Local Councillors have complimented

the Mandir on various occasions. Dignitaries from other temples in the UK and USA have

endorsed its smooth running and are trying to emulate the model of this temple’s working.

o The Mandir has an invaluable asset in its hard working employees and devoted army of

volunteers. They unreservedly deserve the credit of taking the Mandir to where it is today.

o The Mandir acquired the adjoining premises about two years back and is happy to announce

that the plans for the expansion of the Mandir are ready to be presented for necessary

application. The New Mandir will not be shelled as a traditional place of worship but will emerge

as a Community Centre where the Hindu community would contribute and share for the

community at large. The Mandir feels proud in taking such a lead and being a role model for the

Hindu community. The future would have its own opportunities and challenges and may Bapa

lead our way.

The financial summary below is a shining example of the transparency in administration and financial affairs

adopted by the committee.

R A M A - Shree Jalaram Mandir - Greenford

Financial Summary Since The New Board was Elected in October 2008

Period Ended Notes Income Expenditure Surplus Cumulative

31st Dec 2008 1 Balance Carried

Forward £5,376 £5,376

31st Dec 2009 1 £372,815 £217,409 £155,406 £160,782

31st Dec 2010 1 £571,359 £372,084 £199,275 £360,057

31st Dec 2011 1 £552,112 £373,162 £178,950 £539,007

31st Dec 2012 1 £620,438 £353,663 £266,775 £805,782

30th Apr 2013 2 £166,757 £119,339 £47,418 £853,200

£2,283,481 £1,435,657 £853,200

Notes : 1. As per Accounts filled with The Charity Commission UK. 2. Unaudited Draft Management Report

The Proposed New Building for Shree Jalaram Mandir - Greenford

Front Elevation South Side Elevation

Ground Floor Layout First Floor Layout

The Plans for a new building for the Jalaram Mandir and a Community Centre have been prepared; these are ready for pre-

planning application and further process. We do not expect the foot fall to increase. However with a built up area of over six thousand square feet per floor, it will certainly increase the facilities available for the devotees and open up to serve as a Community Centre for the community at large. With the spontaneous, enthusiastic response of donations pledged at the AGM, a separate bank account has been set up for the Building Fund. We hope and pray that the project is completed in the shortest time possible.

All the Trustees, Devotees, Staff and Volunteers of Shree Jalaram Mandir - Greenford

The Board of Trustees 2013-14 Shree Jalaram Mandir – Greenford

Cllr. Rajni C. Khiroya Rashmi Chatwani Dr. Mansukh Morjaria Prakash Gandecha Sharad Bhimjiyani Immediate Past President President Vice President Secretary Treasurer

Praful Radia Laxmidas Popat Rajnikant Davda Asmita Masrani Amritlal Rajani Dr. Jayu Morjaria Asst. Secretary Asst. Treasurer Trustee Trustee Co-opted Trustees

Pay Tribute To Drummer Lee Rigby. We pray that God be with you and keep you in His loving care.

Bid Farewell to Manish Popat. Best wishes for the future as you migrate to Canada seeking fresh

pastures. You’ll always be missed.

A Pictorial Diary of Events Celebrated at Shree Jalaram Mandir – Greenford

Samuha Chopada Poojan in Pujya Bapa’s Sanidhya & Narration of Bapa’s Parchaas by a Group of Children Devotees

Paduka Poojan by a Yajman Family and the Annakuta Display at the Jalaram Jayanti celebration

Congregation for the Jalaram Jayanti celebration witnessing Invited Dignitaries performing the Evening Aarti

Tulsi Vivah Celebration comes alive with Mandap & Chori and Ram Janma Pooja and Aarti with a colourful Parnu

A Pictorial Diary of Events Celebrated at Shree Jalaram Mandir – Greenford

Mandir Trustees performing the Maha Shiv Ratri Maha-Pooja and the Holika Poojan and Dahan

Impressive Samuha Randal Maana 52 Lota with 14 Yajman families and the Prasad arrangement for all the Gornies

Serving with a Smile – Volunteers at the Mandir Sadavrat and Serving the Homeless at the Holborn Sadavrat

Mandir Visit by Pujya Guruvar Jashbhai Saheb of Anoopam Mission and by the Children of Viking Primary School